What is it about?
At the heart of the bustling university campus, Maria, a final-year construction management student, watched a 3D model come to life through her augmented reality headset. Unlike the outdated chalk-and-talk lectures her uncle once endured, Maria's learning experience was a product of a new era—shaped by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and driven by the urgent needs of the construction industry. Years ago, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors had sounded the alarm: an ageing workforce was retiring faster than replacements could be trained, and younger generations, disenchanted by the industry's perceived rigidity, turned away. In response, a research launched a global investigation—sifting through 748 academic articles and narrowing their focus to 46 pivotal studies through a rigorous systematic review. What emerged was clear: the future of construction depended on higher education institutions (HEIs) not only imparting technical (hard) skills but also nurturing critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration—essential soft skills for the digital age. Maria’s coursework, now filled with virtual site visits, BIM simulations, and collaborative problem-solving sessions, was built upon those very recommendations. Still, the research had its limitations—rooted in keyword constraints and database access—but its message was undeniable. For construction to thrive, its pedagogy must evolve. As Maria submitted her final project—a digitally modelled, sustainable housing plan—she didn’t just represent the future workforce. She was proof that when HEIs rise to meet industry demands with innovation and purpose, they don’t just fill skill gaps; they transform industries. - A fiction story of the article based on current reality.
Featured Image
Photo by Mathias Reding on Unsplash
Why is it important?
The article highlights how updated construction education in HEIs, driven by industry needs and digital tools, can address skill shortages in the AEC sector.
Perspectives
This article is important because it talks about a big problem in the construction industry: there aren’t enough skilled workers. Many experienced workers are retiring, and younger people aren’t joining the field because they think it’s not modern or attractive. To help fix this, universities and colleges (called higher education institutions or HEIs) need to teach construction skills in better ways. It looks at how students are learning these skills and says we need to update the way construction is taught—by using modern technology, better lesson plans, and a focus on both practical (hard) and social (soft) skills. By doing this, schools can help create a stronger and more prepared group of future construction workers who will be ready to build safely, smartly, and with the latest tools.
Dr. Olubimbola Oladimeji
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A systematic review of construction skills acquisition in higher education institutions, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management Procurement and Law, October 2024, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1680/jmapl.24.00038.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
